Why Ohio? Research and Development: Test Infrastructure: Expertise and Workforce:

Transcription

1 Ohio UAS Center Strategic Plan 2019

2 Why Ohio? Ohio has a rich history of aviation going back to the days when the Wright Brothers first pioneered flight in Today, Ohio remains a national leader in innovative flight research through the aggressive promotion and utilization of unmanned aircraft to improve business operations and quality of life. Research and Development: No other state can match the resources available for unmanned aircraft research in Ohio. In addition to the work FlyOhio is doing, Ohio is also home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton and the prestigious Air Force Research Laboratory, which focuses on four major directives: energy, propulsion, material and sensor technologies. Some of the brightest minds in the world are developing cutting edge technology that is bringing enabling technologies for UAS to the forefront. Test Infrastructure: Ohio has all the right resources to develop and test UAS technologies. A broad range of state-of-the-art research and laboratory capabilities allow for an unprecedented range of testing opportunities in dedicated environments. Test ranges and related sensor environments are available to allow effective flight tests supporting research and certification efforts. Expertise and Workforce: With Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and NASA Plum Brook near Sandusky, the state is at the top of the list for aviation specialists in the nation. In addition, the State of Ohio already has approximately 1200 aerospace companies making Ohio a great place to attract UAS companies to develop, test and deploy their technology companies.

3 Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology, known commonly as drone technology, is fast transforming industries while creating new ones in virtually every sector of our economy: industrial production, agriculture, commerce, transportation, retail and logistics. Ohio understands that a state willing to invest in the research and infrastructure needed to take part in this transformation will see those investments rewarded with jobs, business investment and economic growth. While Ohio today is second to none in state support for UAS research and development, this technology is evolving rapidly, with other states eager to take the lead. The enclosed strategic plan highlights the steps needed to facilitate our state s ongoing leadership position in UAS technology and development. Ohio UAS Center and DriveOhio Partnership: Smart Mobility at Every Altitude The Ohio UAS Center serves as the state s one-stop shop for those developing, testing and deploying UAS technology in Ohio. The team engages with public and private partners, connecting government, industry and academia to advance the use and commercialization of UAS technology. The Ohio UAS Center operates as part of the Ohio Department of Transportation s DriveOhio initiative. Unmanned aircraft systems and autonomous/connected vehicles are parallel technologies. Both of these technologies are advancing rapidly and disrupting their respective industries by developing remote and automated operation for transportation applications. By having these teams working collaboratively under one umbrella on both air vehicle and ground vehicle advancements, we are able to leverage the resources from both sectors to make smarter decisions and avoid duplicative efforts. UAS Center Vision Ohio leads the nation in driving the advancement and integration of UAS technology for the benefit of the people of Ohio and the growth of the UAS industry in the state. UAS Center Mission To advance the use and commercialization of UAS technology in Ohio and the world, we will: Facilitate the safe deployment of unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system; Promote the benefits of UAS technology; Create partnerships within the public and private sectors; and Utilize UAS technology to improve government agency operations.

4 While UAS technology has advanced rapidly in the last few years, the widespread use of drones is limited by the lack of a widespread low-altitude air traffic management system to ensure drones can safely fly at altitudes below 2,000 feet without fear of collision and do not pose a threat to people and property on the ground. Because this system does not exist, the federal government generally restricts anyone, without special permission -- including other government agencies from flying drones unless the operator can always see the aircraft. For most commercial scenarios, such as package delivery and person transport, this limitation makes drone usage impractical, if not impossible. FlyOhio, an initiative of the Ohio UAS Center and DriveOhio, seeks to address this gap by coordinating ongoing UAS research throughout Ohio, while identifying and pursuing future research opportunities, to make Ohio airspace among the first in the nation ready to fly beyond line of sight. The UAS Center will work with public, private and research partners on the technology needed to allow numerous drones, operated remotely, to fly safely over longer distances without fear they will collide with other aircraft, ground-based objects or pose a threat to humans. Further, by refining low-altitude air traffic control system, we can solve long-term congestion issues, and bring the use of unmanned aircraft for freight, package and personal transportation closer to reality. Ohio is truly at the forefront of advancing this technology. No other state is doing more comprehensive research into the development of an unmanned traffic management system. And we are only just getting started.

5 Our Projects SkyVision The Ohio UAS Center, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Dayton and other partners have invested $5 million to develop and install SkyVision, a ground-based detect-and-avoid radar system at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in Springfield. The system uses three existing FAA active radar systems to track unmanned aircraft allowing for drone flight beyond line of sight. A request from AFRL to the federal government to fly unmanned aircraft in the national airspace system beyond line of sight is currently in process and flights could begin in early 2019, pending federal approval. The Ohio UAS Center is preparing to request similar permission in order to better facilitate the R&D, testing, certification and commercialization of UAS systems in the state. US 33 Traffic Monitoring The UAS Center is partnering with The Ohio State University and others on a three-year research project along the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor to develop a different low-altitude air traffic management system using passive radar. This research will include using communication devices on both air and ground vehicles and will complement ongoing work to test autonomous and connected vehicles along the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor, a 35-mile stretch of highway between Dublin and East Liberty, Ohio. The use of passive radar for managing the low-altitude airspace could be a major key in finding a system that can be scaled up and deployed statewide. Passive radar is much less expensive to install and therefore easier to scale. The research will use the passive radar system, as well as sensors and communication devices, to deploy drones for a specific use case: monitoring ground vehicle traffic along the corridor. Vertiport Development As unmanned aircraft technology advances to support services like human transport and package delivery, identifying locations that allow for vertical aircraft takeoff and landing (known as vertiports) will become a vital component to advancing the commercial use of drones in the state. For this reason, the state issued a Request for Information (RFI) asking private-sector companies to provide guidance that will help Ohio plan for deployment of advanced unmanned aircraft technologies. The request is specifically asking for information on the infrastructure needed to identify vertiport locations and support vertical landing and takeoff activities. FlyOhio is also looking for information relating to Electric Vertical Landing and Takeoff (evtol), automated air taxis and taxi services, the use of personal air vehicles, on-demand aviation, and any other related technologies needed to implement and support this as an innovative alternative transportation method.

6 Workforce Development Working with DriveOhio, the Ohio UAS Center is also actively engaging with smart mobility workforce development stakeholders from government, industry, education and local communities across the state. A statewide Listening Tour is planned for 2019 to identify pilot programs around drone and UAS technologies. These programs will deliver benefits across multiple industries including technology and logistics for today s workforce (e.g., up-skilling and certifications), tomorrow s workforce (e.g., capstone projects and work-based learning through internships and apprenticeships), and the emerging workforce (e.g., K-12 problembased learning and Pre-K STEM). Today s Workforce Employees / Incumbents Unemployed / Re-Entry Retirees / Disadvantaged Tomorrow s Workforce Interns / Co-Ops Apprentices Post-Secondary Emerging Workforce Pre-Apprentices Career Technical Ed High School /K-8 /Pre-K Agile Mindset / Problem-Based Learning Workforce Mobility Student Mobility Up-Skilling In-Demand Jobs Educator Professional Development Curriculum Development STEM Learning Kits Career Pathways

7 Ohio UAS Center Operations Ohio is already systematically using unmanned aircraft to support a broad range of business operations. Project surveying, infrastructure inspection, project monitoring, environmental survey, resource survey, corrections facility surveillance, police and firefighting support are among a few of the areas where Ohio is putting unmanned aircraft to work in support of state and local government operations. Statewide data collection operations include: Bridge Inspections Aerial Photography/GIS Exterior / Interior Inspections Construction Monitoring Traffic Monitoring Quick Clear Operations Emergency Management Communications / Promotional Videos Structures / Facilities Inspections Flights Completed in 2018: Communications Construction Emergency Management Events Environmental Facilities Mapping Planning & Engineering Upcoming Flights: Communications Construction Environmental Mapping Planning & Engineering ** As of 11/27/18

8 Ohio UAS Center: Strategy and Actions Long-Term Strategy and Objectives To accomplish its mission and vision, the Ohio UAS Center will focus on the following: 1. FlyOhio Develop and integrate next-generation UAS technology and infrastructure solutions, to grow Ohio s position as a national UAS leader Objective Deliver 33 Smart Mobility Corridor UTM research project phases on-time and on-budget Objective Deliver SkyVision research and operations and obtain necessary approvals for flight from Federal Aviation Administration Objective Planning and developing vertiports supporting the new vertical landing and takeoff technologies 2. Operations Deliver and expand UAS operations and use case development services, to grow the Ohio UAS ecosystem and accelerate technology adoption Objective Deliver 2018 UAS operations on-time and on-budget Objective Develop 2019 UAS operations pipeline, targeting 60% expansion to include service contracts with other state agencies Objective Expand UAS lifecycle support services, targeting 30% expansion 3. Workforce Development Develop the future UAS workforce to expand relationships and grow Ohio s UAS industry Objective Execute marketing and communications plan, beginning with a listening tour Objective Deploy UAS workforce development programs through DriveOhio Objective Recruit UAS industry relocation / expansion, with JobsOhio

9 NEXT STEPS Commercialize SkyVision Complete UTM Research Expand Operations Convert Helipad to Vertiport Explore with Private Industry Vertiport Location Along 33 Corridor Develop Policy and Procedures Develop State Agency UAS Programs Support Colleges and Universities Hold a UAS Airshow at TRC

10 OHIO UAS CENTER 3 MONTHS 6 MONTHS FLYOHIO: Develop tools for others to operate SkyVision Complete SkyVision scheduler software Assess findings from vertiport RFI OPERATIONS: Establish payment procedure for local governments Outreach to state agencies and local government regarding drone operation opportunities WORKFORCE DEV: Engage with career-technical, community college and university education partners FLYOHIO: AFRL obtain approvals from Federal Aviation Administration for SkyVision for Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations Begin SkyVision flight operations Develop SkyVision business plan Announce private sector new partnership Process first data from 33 Smart Mobility Corridor UTM project OPERATIONS: Development implementation common operating platform Proposal for a UAS airshow Complete development of 2-year general services contract WORKFORCE DEV: Initiate projects with career-technical, community college and university partners

11 ROADMAP 12 MONTHS 18 MONTHS + FLYOHIO: Promote vertiport installations in SkyVision and the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor UTM research areas Begin testing and demonstrations along the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor Demonstrate the integration of 33 Smart Mobility Corridor UTM air vehicles with connected ground vehicles OPERATIONS: Finalize standard drone operations procedures Complete agreements with state agencies WORKFORCE DEV: Identify pilot projects with K-12 STEM education partners FLYOHIO: Partner with NASA for NE Ohio drone operations Complete identification of vertiport locations SkyVision operating at least 75% to total capacity OPERATIONS: Complete UAS facilities improvements at Springfield Beckley Airport Complete model to quantify cost savings of utilizing drone technologies

12 4170 Allium Court Springfield, OH uas.ohio.gov